Top 4 Plumbing Problems
The Leaking Toilet
The Flapper is corroded or damaged, the fill valve is broken or the chain is too long/too short.
If the toilet flush arm chain only has one inch of extra chain, unhook and adjust it. Check that the rubber flapper (connected to the same chain) is covering the hole where the water comes in. If it isn’t, attach it firmly in place. If it is in place, unclip it and check for erosion or damage. Replace the flapper if it’s damaged.
If the water level is higher or much lower than the water level line on the inside of the toilet, you’ll need to adjust the fill valve (on more modern toilets) or the float arm. When adjusting a modern ball-less fill valve, look for a vertical arm just off of the main body of the fill valve. Either squeeze the clip to move the arm up or down or use a screwdriver to loosen and adjust the bar. When working with a float arm that has a ball, gently bend the arm to adjust it into place.
The Leaking Faucet
With time, age and use, the washer or o-ring eventually needs to be replaced.
Remove the caps on the faucet to reveal the screws. Tighten the screws slightly. If the faucet is still leaking, take it apart. Look for any parts that are damaged (the washers or o-rings may need to be replaced). Take any damaged parts to the hardware store to pick up an exact replacement. Reassemble the faucet with the new part(s).
The Clogged Drain
Too much matter (usually hair or food) is stuck in the pipes.
Remove any surface clogging such as hair from a sink or tub. Make sure there’s a bit of water in the sink, tub or toilet to act as a lubricant. Plunge the drain rapidly about 12 times without stopping. If the drain is still clogged, feed a plumbing snake down the drain to break up the blockage.
The Molded Silicone
The silicone bead is molding due to too much water and too little ventilation.
To remove the old silicone, slice along the top and bottom of it with a knife, then scrape it out using a razor scraper. Clean the area thoroughly and wipe away any extra moisture that may have been under the silicone (the area needs to be bone-dry for best results). Apply silicone in long, unbroken lines. Immediately after applying the silicone, moisten your pointer finger with water and run your finger along the line of silicone with a light pressure. If it spreads/clumps too much, wipe your finger on a wet rag, re-wet your finger and continue from 2 inches behind where you stopped. Wipe any excess silicone with a wet cloth right away. Allow the silicone to cure for 48 hours by keeping the area dry. Be sure to use only kitchen or 100% silicone – DO NOT USE REGULAR CAULKING!
